Farmer and Woody Launch Initiative to Combat Youth Suicide Crisis in Northwest Georgia

After a heartbreaking weekend that saw the loss of two young lives to suicide in Northwest Georgia, Coach Blaine Woody is taking action. The former Chattooga High School coach, now at Trion, is launching a comprehensive youth mentorship program designed to prevent further tragedies in the community.

While this idea had been taking shape for some time, the urgency was apparent Friday night when a recent Chattooga High School graduate allegedly took their own life. That tragedy was compounded by news that a current student-athlete at Heritage High School also reportedly died by suicide the same day. The dual losses sent shockwaves through the Northwest communities.

“Through lots of thought, prayers, and tears this weekend, a good buddy of mine, Michael Farmer, and I have spent hours on the phone trying to come up with something to change these stats that continue to trend upwards,” Woody shared on social media Monday morning.

The post included key statistics on adolescent suicide.

By midday Monday, Woody’s post had gone viral, having been shared over 100 times on Facebook. Several AllOnGeorgia readers sent the post to our inbox, with one reader noting that Woody’s description of these as “completely preventable deaths” hit them “like a ton of bricks.”

A Personal Mission Born from Loss

In an interview with AllOnGeorgia, Woody revealed that the initiative has deeper roots than the tragedies of this weekend alone.

“Michael Farmer and I decided to set this program in motion following the loss of one of our own little brothers, Juancea Hunter,” Woody said. “The past five years, I have coached in this community and developed such special relationships with kids from Trion and Chattooga. Michael and I developed a great friendship in my past two years at Chattooga.”

The friendship between Woody and Farmer was built on a shared purpose that became increasingly clear through countless conversations over the years.

“Through many talks throughout the years, it was evident our lives’ purpose aligned in being a light in young adults’ lives,” Woody explained. “In our minds, it is important for young people to know there are people in their corner who love and care for them, free of judgment.”

Northwest Georgia Big Brother/Big Sister Program: A Comprehensive Approach

Woody and Farmer decided to launch a Northwest Georgia Big Brother/Big Sister Program that will offer multi-faceted support designed to catch struggling youth before crisis strikes and provide ongoing mentorship.

“Our plans for this program is to be a helping hand and a listening ear for the adolescents in need,” Woody said.

The program will provide:

• Extracurricular activities to build connection and purpose
• Mentoring from youth pastors
• Basic life skills training
• Group outings such as sporting events, bowling, and group dinners
• Professional counseling services

But Woody and Farmer have set their sights even higher than immediate intervention.

“Our ultimate goal is to be able to help young adults get their lives started, such as scholarships for college or job placements,” Woody explained. “We cannot do this without the support of the community, and we can’t wait to see how everyone comes together to make our dreams a reality.”

A Community Call to Action

Woody is seeking community members who can provide guidance on establishing the Northwest Georgia Big Brother/Big Sister Program as a legal nonprofit organization, as well as volunteers, mentors, and financial supporters who share the vision.

“Here’s what we have come up with, and we need the community’s help,” Woody said in his initial social media post. “If anyone can point us in the right direction of creating a legitimate, legal nonprofit organization for our area for adolescents struggling with mental health issues, please reach out.”

The vision is one of hope in the face of heartbreak—a recognition that while several communities are hurting from what Woody calls “completely preventable deaths,” there is still time to save lives through connection, support, and unconditional love.

“Through this program, we hope to show these kids they are loved, they matter, and they are seen,” Woody said. “God bless these kids and God bless Chattooga County.”

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The statistics paint a sobering picture of youth mental health in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults between ages 10 and 24 in the United States.

The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed troubling trends among high school students:

• 20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months
• 9.5% attempted suicide
• 39.7% experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness

Perhaps most concerning is the scope of the problem: for every suicide death, there are an estimated 100-200 non-fatal attempts, and approximately 157,000 individuals between ages 10 and 24 received emergency medical care for self-inflicted injuries in a single year.

Suicide deaths among 10- to 24-year-olds increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021, with the rate standing at 11.0 per 100,000 in 2021.

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Counselors are available 24/7 to provide free and confidential support.

Get Involved

Those interested in helping establish or support the Northwest Georgia Big Brother (Big Sister) Program can reach out through Coach Woody’s social media channels or local school athletic departments.

As Northwest Georgia grapples with these recent tragedies, Woody’s initiative offers a path forward—one built on community support, professional intervention, and the simple but powerful message that every young person matters.

 

If you have information about establishing nonprofit organizations for youth mental health services or would like to support the Northwest Georgia Big Brother (Big Sister) Program, please contact Coach Blaine Woody.